Hep C injections

[beeblessed]

Where is the best place for injections during Hep C treatment?  Butt, thigh, arm?  I hate needles and am very apprehensive about giving myself an injection.  I can't even rip off a band-aid.  But I should begin tx in August, so I am preparing myself.  Have not had the consultation with the nurse yet but wanted to get your opinions/advice.  Many thanks :0)

[FoieGras]

Best of luck. The needles are indeed very thin, much thinner than when you get a vaccination. I found it did not hurt, just an odd sensation going in after the sharp poke...

Be warned, though. The first shot may give you a very interesting case of the chills. I was under three blankets shaking like a leaf, teeth chattering, the bed rocking, as if I had just spent the day in a blizzard...interesting, knowing that it's just a drug effect and will go away. It lasted a couple hours for me, and did not occur with subsequent shots.

Stay happy during your treatment. It is not time lost. It is not time wasted, even if your energy may suffer and you may become depressed and be less capable of living life to the fullest...you will reap big rewards if you get to SVR.  

[beeblessed]

Oh good info., thank you.  I am hoping it doesn't hurt, like everyone says.  Hate to sound skeptical but I felt ALL the acupuncture needles, even though they are extremely thin.  Guess I'm just sensitive to the touch like that, ah la -- Princess and The Pea :0)

These answers really have minimized my fears, so thank you again everyone.  Be well.

[roostermom]

My first time on trt I was too nervous to inject in my abs, and only did my thighs. This time, my first day was last Tues, I went for the abs and it was a piece of cake! I got a much smaller mark (I used to get 2" size bruise like mark, didn't hurt) in my thighs. The injections don't hurt a bit, so put that worry down for now and good luck.

[beeblessed]

Hi aj7538.  Sorry, I missed this post.  Worrying IS stressful, so calm yourself by taking it one day at a time.  Even though you are not a fan of meds, your doc can prescribe anti-anxiety meds now, which may help with pre-tx nerves.  Someone else told me that it's better to start on those before treatment anyway.  I get the feeling that everyone here had a box load of anticipation about treatment before they began.  But I am thankful for the information and advice I am getting from others here.  It does help calm the "great unknown" factor, and helps to know that others have gotten through it.

As you get closer to your start date, if you find you truly can't cope with the stress, maybe consider starting at another month/year, if you have that option.  Hope this helps.

BeeBlessed

[aj7538]

I also am waiting for tx and have no idea how I got this.  The stress of worrying about tx is really getting to me..I have to work so I really need to be ok.  Worried beacause I am not used to taking anything and afraid the drugs will be too strong.  I admire everyone on this site. And have learned a lot.  Will keep everyone in my prayers aj7538

[beeblessed]

Nope, I'm on my own for shots, but thanks.  My best friend is in the medical field and has offered to help, but lives on the other side of town.  It would be new to everyone else, so I plan on sucking it up and doing it myself.  Gee, don't I sound brave at the moment :0)  LOL.  Hopefully I will feel that way when the time comes.  Everyone here has been a HUGE help.  Plus, the fact that so many are having a rough time but still manage to get on their computers and post, doesn't make me dread tx quite as much as I was before I found these forums.  Be well!

[FlGuy]

If you have someone to help you with the shots, the back of the upper arm is a possible target.  Otherwise, ab and thigh are ok targets.  With several spots and a shot a week rotating places to inject is not difficult.  If using abs, stay a couple/few inches away from the midline.

[beeblessed]

Thanks very much for the encouragement.  I am learning a LOT here.  As much as I am not looking forward to tx, I am restless in the waiting and just want to be free of this "curse", as another member put it.  Makes no sense to me that so much of the population is afflicted and doesn't even know it.  Most days, I wish I didn't know either.  It's frustrating because I have no clue of how or when.  Sorry, just venting.  The people in these forums have shown some remarkable courage and support.  I hope to do the same.

[researchmonkey326]

Your dodctor's office should assist you in learning how to do the injection and you will probably do the first few right in the doctor's office.  If you do not feel comfortable by then, ask to come in to do it until you do feel comfortable.  You'll be fine - it gets easier as you go.

[beeblessed]

NorthIdaho54 -- Wow!  The video on that website was exactly what I needed to see.  I have bookmarked the page so I can look at the entire page when I have more time.  Thank you so much!

Flcyclist -- "above the belt line" is so helpful, since I do not have a clue.  Thanks!

Mary4Now -- Congrats on almost being done!  Your comments here and in other forums have helped me.

[flcyclist]

I agree with Debra that many that don't experience sx from trt are not likely to post here.  You will read posts from those that share their reactions to trt and how they've dealt with them, so the amount of information posted is probably skewed.  So don't be overwhelmed with reading too much.  

The size of the needle is tiny so you will barely feel it.  I've had only a minor rash around the injection site, nothing worse.  I inject on the stomach, just above the belt line so there's no rubbing.  There are a number of suggestions for over the counter lotions that seem to help some, others use antihistamines, while others go to their docs for an rx for more serious rashes.  

mary4now - 2 more shots???  Now that's some exciting news.  Congrats.

[beeblessed]

Hi everyone.  Thanks very much for your input and Happy 4th!  I hadn't even considered tummy shots.  So a tummy thigh combo?  Does the one in the thigh affect walking the next day??  Or is it not that thick of a shot?  I have had cortisone shots in my shoulder and foot before and had a "heavy" feeling afterwards, so I wondered if it was similar.

Thanks for the encouragement and I agree with the comments to curioslady1 -- it's easy to envision the worst case scenario, but these forums have helped me understand that everybody's body is different, and not everyone has all the symptoms.  Doctors have to inform us though, just in case.  My main concerns are fatigue and being able to work; and chances of a rash, as certain things already give me hives.

[willbb]

This whole treatment sounds so impossibly awful.  I don't know if I can do it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many people get only mild symptoms and some no more than a flu like feeling....When you are about to start tx. it is like anything else you  research ... you can convince yourself that you are probably going to get everything going...when in reality very few   get all the symptoms and very many hardly get any.

Good luck...

Will

[researchmonkey326]

Curious - Everyone has different experiences with different aspects of the tx.  Me, I've never had even a tiny bump at the injection site yet other parts of my body are extremely sensitive and rashy.  I've not had a problem with anemia at all yet some have it disable them.  No, the tx is not pleasant but read all of these posts and sift through them realizing that you will not have every reaction or sx mentioned and you may have very few.  It is easy to become overwhelmed when reading all of these posts.  You must remember that people having no problems with tx, may not need a forum so they probably don't post.  You get somewhat of a skewed view on here.  You can do it- you just need to make up your mind or maybe if your liver is in pretty good shape, you should wait until you know you are ready.  Good luck.

Mary - way to go.  I hope my next nine go as fast as your seemed to.
Debra

[curiouslady1]

Someone just mentioned on another thread that they got very bad sores on their ab from the injections and I have heard of this before.  Then they said they had their husband inject on the back of the thigh.  What about sitting?  Why should this injection be any different from injecting insulin or any other med in abdomen, a little bruising maybe but that's it.  This whole treatment sounds so impossibly awful.  I don't know if I can do it.

[Mary4now]

Tummy and rotate the spots, start at one end and move to the other side.
you go  1, 2 3, jab and slowly inject.   Also clean area first with alcohol and let alcohol dry before injecting cuz the alcohol can sting.  Good luck
I have 2 more shots left, I cant believe it.

[flcyclist]

Aaron57 answered a similar question in another thread.  HIs response follows:

Concerning injection site locations ..

If you take the time to read the instructions from Roche - Pegasys  included with the syringes .. this very important subject is mentioned in at least 2 locations.

Front page subheading - Chronic Hepatitis C:

"The recommended dose for Pegasys 180mcg once weekly by subcutaneous administration in the abdomen or thigh in combo with riba or in monotherapy ."

Back page subheading - Site of Administration :

"Subcutaneous administration of Pegasys should be limited to the abdomen and thigh as the extent of absorption based on AUC (area under the curve) was about 20-30% higher upon injection in the abdomen and thigh.
Exposure to Pegasys was decreased in studies following administration of Pegasys in the arm compared to the abdomen and thigh. "

[doctor208]

the most convinient site is your timmy, it is very easy to a administer, there is also less danger to accidentally inject into vien, more fat in timmy ,it will cause sloww absorbtion